AS Northern Ireland goalkeeper for a decade he may have been repeatedly second choice behind Pat Jennings, but Jim Platt was number one with enough voters to secure a local election victory.
The Ballymoney-born shot stopper was elected to Middlesborough Council an an independent after winning 970 votes in the local government elections.
As an international between 1976-86, he was in the shadow of Jennings, but carved out a notable club career, both in the Irish League and at Middlesborough FC in the north Yorkshire town he now makes his home.
After his victory, a delighted Platt told his local newspaper: said: "I’m looking forward to serving Middlesbrough Council in the same way I served Middlesbrough Football Club - with dedication, passion and belief.
"I'm not a politician - and I see that as a positive. I just care about my community and my town and I'm looking forward to being able to improve both.
"It will be a new era in my life - and an opportunity to give something back to the people of Middlesbrough who gave me such great support when I was the club's goalkeeper. It will be a privilege."
Platt is the uncle of Angela Platt, former goalkeeper with both the Ireland women's hockey team and the Northern Ireland football team, and former Derry City goalkeeper David Platt, who, later managed Coleraine and Limavady United.
His candidacy was backed by Andy Preston who won his bid to be the town's mayor in the same election cycle.
